United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after voting to permanently reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund:

"Today I voted to approve the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, which provides compensation to September 11 first responders and survivors suffering from related health conditions. We owe a debt of gratitude to these American heroes, and I look forward to President Trump signing this critical legislation into law."

CBS News Correspondent Pam Coulter reports...



After years of funding disputes with Congress, the Senate has officially voted to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund for the next 73 years, effectively providing financial support to help pay the health care bills for thousands of first responders and survivors of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The bill overwhelmingly passed to the sound of applause in a 97 to 2 vote Tuesday.